Adelita - 2019 Hypo Sonoran

[jmcrook]

I was hoping to put off feeding another week or two myself, but snake biology had other plans. A season of cooler temps and reduced feeding is better than nothing, though. At least her body's had/having some time to rest.

Prep and execution could have gone better, but considering this is my first time seasonally cycling snakes, I'm not that disappointed with myself. It's been a good learning experience and I have a much clearer picture in my head for what I want to do next year. Fall ended up sneaking up on me, so I just have to be a remember to start the pre-winter "feed up" and shortening the photoperiod and heat-day (ie. how long "day heat" is on) a bit earlier.

For what it's worth, Kuzco (the longi) is doing great and looks like he can hold off feeding for a while longer. He actually went into the season with a wee bit of chub and that definitely seemed to help body condition-wise. Adelita didn't have that extra bit of reserve energy, so she started getting lean by the time her first major growth spurt was up.

First time for me as well. Also been a fun learning experience and certainly some things I'll do different next year. I may actually stop feeding and start cooling later as I always forget how warm it stays in Mississippi. A bit of a challenge to get the room down to 70 on some nights. I'll probably feed sooner than the next couple weeks for a couple critters. Everyone honestly looks pretty good after 8 weeks of fasting and the boas look phenomenal. Still would like to keep things as "natural" as one can with a snake living in a plastic box. As Vin Russo said in a Morelia Python Radio podcast once in regards to cycling neonate/juvenile animals, "The sun doesn't shine more on you because you're a baby."